Redskins Decide On Two-Man Radio Booth For '13; Team May Add Analyst In Future

With longtime Redskins broadcaster Sam Huff retiring, the team's radio booth in '13 will feature two men, Larry Michael and Sonny Jurgensen, with former NFLer Rick "Doc" Walker "on the sidelines but with an open mic, allowing him to speak at any point during the broadcast," according to Dan Steinberg of the WASHINGTON POST. Jurgensen traditionally has been the "lead analyst for offensive matters, while Huff has been the first voice on defense." But Red Zebra Broadcasting VP/Programming Chuck Sapienza, whose company owns flagship station ESPN Radio 980 DC, said that any "future contributors wouldn’t have to come from a particular side of the ball." Sapienza said, “I don’t think that matters, to be honest with you. A player’s a player. Sonny knows more about defense than most defensive players. No player can read a defense like Sonny Jurgensen. So it’s not imperative to get a defensive player.” Sapienza said that a traditional three-man booth "could yet happen in the future." Sapienza: “It just depends who’s available, and how they fit in. We have the flexibility, and money wouldn’t be an issue" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/24). In DC, Rich Campbell noted how or if the Redskins Radio Network will replace Huff is "not certain." ESPN 980 "faces some decisions about how to staff the booth on game day." Campbell: "The most intriguing possibility, in my opinion, is adding tight end Chris Cooley to continue the three-man booth." Cooley is a "fan favorite and an entertaining personality." He has been "offered other media gigs in the past, though, so we must wait to see how he wants to direct his life after his playing career" (WASHINGTONTIMES.com, 6/24). Pro Football HOFer Joe Theismann said of possibly joining the radio team, "I certainly would have interest if the opportunity was presented. I mean, I've done everything you can do in the media, including radio" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/24).